Vice President JD Vance has sparked a cultural firestorm with his unexpected endorsement of the Netflix hit Emily in Paris, calling the series a “genius” and a “masterwork of American television.” In a TikTok video posted Monday, Vance offered what he described as a “meta-analysis” of the show, framing it as a biting critique of his own generation's life choices.
“If you’re just watching it superficially, ‘Emily in Paris’ is about this sort of bubbly girl who goes to Paris and has a cool job,” Vance said. But beneath the surface, he argued, the series is a “massive cultural criticism of millennial decision making.”
The vice president, 42, zeroed in on the show's protagonist, Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), an American marketing executive who relocates to Paris and becomes entangled in a whirlwind of romantic and professional chaos. Vance contended that Emily's obvious match is Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), a French chef, and that the two should simply settle down.
“It’s obvious to everybody watching the show that she should end up with the French chef. She should marry this guy. They should start a family, whether in Paris or America,” Vance said. “By the same token, the French chef should obviously end up with her, not the various craziest people that bump in and out of his life.”
Instead, Vance noted, the characters repeatedly make “absurd, sometimes hilarious, sometimes not particularly believable mistakes”—choosing career advancement and random flings over a stable, committed relationship. “It’s like obvious: fall in love, get married. You two were made for each other,” he exclaimed.
The vice president’s commentary is part of a broader pattern of his public engagement with pop culture and social issues. He has previously weighed in on topics ranging from family policy to media figures, and his proposed parent pay plan has drawn both praise and criticism. His latest remarks also come amid heightened political activity as the administration navigates domestic and international challenges.
Vance’s take on Emily in Paris is not new. In a 2024 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, he called the show “a masterpiece.” His repeated praise has led some to view it as a deliberate cultural signal, potentially aimed at appealing to younger voters or critiquing the values of the millennial generation, a key demographic in upcoming elections.
Political observers note that Vance’s remarks align with his broader advocacy for traditional family structures, a theme he has emphasized in speeches and policy proposals. His recent Dallas speech fueled speculation about a 2028 presidential run, and his cultural commentary may be part of a strategy to connect with a wider audience.
Netflix representatives did not respond to requests for comment on the vice president’s praise. The show, which premiered in 2020, has been a global phenomenon, spawning multiple seasons and a devoted fan base, though it has also faced criticism for its portrayal of Paris and its focus on a privileged American protagonist.
Vance’s “Shakespeare of our time” remark, delivered with a slight grin, suggests he is aware of the irony in elevating a lighthearted rom-com to the level of high art. Yet his underlying message is serious: that the show’s characters, and by extension many millennials, are trapped in a cycle of poor decisions that delay the very things—marriage, family, stability—that lead to fulfillment.
As the vice president continues to make headlines with his unorthodox cultural takes, his commentary is likely to remain a talking point among political allies and critics alike. Whether Emily in Paris truly deserves such lofty praise is debatable, but Vance has undeniably positioned himself as a politician unafraid to engage with popular culture in unexpected ways.
